Alila Villas Koh Russey, the brand’s first in the country, is set to open in November on the Cambodian Riviera.

Residing on its own private island — a 20-minute private car transfer and speedboat ride from Sihanoukville Airport — Alila Villas Koh Russey’s opening is a much-awaited one in the Koh Rong archipelago of Cambodia.

With a philosophy of bringing innovative design, personalised service and experiences, Alila Villas Koh Russey will offer pristine bays, dramatic peninsulas, copper-sand beaches and tropical forests. The resort will join the brand’s portfolio that includes Alila Villas Uluwatu, Alila Seminyak, Alila Yangshuo and Alila Fort Bishangarh.

“A strong Khmer influence”

Chioh-Hui Goh, the master architect of the Singaporean firm Studiogoto, said: “The 50-pavilion, 13-villa boutique resort has a strong Khmer influence. Like the relevance of the Krama (a patterned cloth widely used in Khmer life) to the Cambodian people, it has inspired much of the geometry in our design concept — infusing the architecture, landscaping and interior works with the destination while paying tribute to the local artisans.”

Also focused on sustainability, the resort’s design has been endorsed by EarthCheck, an Australia-based organisation that has benchmarked and certified Alila Villa Koh Russey’s areas of operational and environmental sustainability, as well as carbon dioxide emissions.

Using low-density structures that accounts for just 15% of the 60-acre grounds, most of the island’s greenery was preserved. Alila Villa Koh Russey highlights sustainability features such as villa systems that automatically adjust lighting and temperature when occupants enter or leave; a fishing exclusion zone which is set at 200-metres around the resort to preserve the marine environment; and a special nursery which aims to protect more than 20 species of trees indigenous to the island.

Alila Villa Koh Russey also provides complimentary shuttle boat transfers on daily schedules to the mainland. Additionally, it offers guided access to hidden temples, highland trekking in the Bokor National Park, exploring the Kep’s Crab Market and Kampot’s pepper plantation and taking in the laid-back riverfront scene.

Opening rates start from USD 375 per night for a stay in the Garden Pavilion or book the ‘Night Three Stay Free’ package for a minimum of three nights’ stay which includes daily breakfast, return Sihanoukville airport transfers, 30-mins foot reflexology at Spa Alila, and scheduled shuttle boat-service to the island.

The opening package is valid for bookings and stays from 1 November 2018 to 21 April 2019.